UH grants fund Maui oral history projects

The University of Hawaiʻi Center for Oral History secured four grants totaling $538,000 to record the stories of Maui communities, including those navigating the aftermath of the 2023 wildfires.

The center will use the resources to launch projects focused on recovery, cultural continuity and environmental history.

“Taken together, these four projects form a complementary portfolio that documents Maui’s people, places, environments and institutions during a critical period of transformation,” said center Director Mary Kunmi Yu Danico. “They intersect through their shared reliance on oral history, commitment to community collaboration, dedication to cultural preservation and focus on creating accessible and sustainable historical resources. Collectively, they not only preserve the past but also contribute to Maui’s recovery, resilience and future generations’ understanding of their heritage.”

The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation Maui Strong Fund provided $250,000 for the Lahaina Memories project. The grant funds up to 100 hours of interviews, including 60 hours led by trained educators, youth and community members.

A $159,000 National Endowment for the Humanities grant funds the Echoes of Wai initiative. This project calls for 30 planned interviews to capture historical and future perspectives on water across West Maui and Nā Wai ʻEhā.

An American Council of Learned Societies Digital Justice grant provides $100,000 to highlight the history of women of color on Maui.

A second National Endowment for the Humanities grant of $29,000 supports the Lahaina Jodo Mission Oral History Project. This initiative captures their memories to assist the mission’s rebuilding efforts.